With four games on the WBC schedule Friday, there is no shortage of baseball action to keep you occupied as the weekend kicks off.
2013 World Baseball Classic: TV schedule and games for Friday
There’s a full set of WBC games throughout the day Friday, including Team USA making their first appearance in the tournament with a game against Mexico.
Christian Petersen
Here’s the breakdown of the day’s match-ups:
Japan vs. Chinese Taipei: Friday, 7:00 p.m. local, 5:00 a.m. ET
Venue: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
TV: MLB Network (U.S.), ESPN Deportes (U.S.)
Japan and Chinese Taipei are both looking to rebound from losses at the end of Round 1. Defending champion Japan has looked shaky through it's first three WBC games -- managing just one extra-base hit in its first 27 innings at the plate -- so a resounding win against Taiwan could help ease the worries of the home crowd and put the club back on track. Chinese Taipei will try to keep Japan off-balance by sending All-Star right-hander Chien-Ming Wang to the mound. Wang has had a serious battle with injuries the last few seasons, but a strong showing in the tournament could land him a job with a big-league squad, so look for him to bring his 'A' game Friday morning.
Starting Pitchers: LHP Atsushi Nohmi vs. RHP Chien-Ming Wang
Italy vs. Canada: Friday, 12:00 p.m. local, 2:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: MLB Network (U.S.), ESPN Deportes (U.S.)
Italy will look to carry their momentum from Thursday night's come-from-behind victory over Mexico into their Friday afternoon match-up. The Italian club scored two runs in the ninth off of San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo to seal their first victory of the tournament, and will look for more of the same magic today against Justin Morneau, Joey Votto, and the rest of the Canadian squad. Canada will send right-hander Shawn Hill to the mound for their first match of the WBC to take on right-hander Alex Maestri.
Starting Pitchers: RHP Alex Maestri v. RHP Shawn Hill
Puerto Rico vs. Spain: Friday, 6:30 p.m. local, 5:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
TV: MLB Network (U.S.), ESPN Deportes (U.S.)
Spain and Puerto Rico kick off their Pool C play with an early-evening game in San Juan. Puerto Rico may have the home-field advantage, but they'd be foolish to look past a potential spoiler in Spain. The Spanish is in a bit of a "Group of Death" scenario by having to take on PR, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela to get to Round 2, but the club could feed on their underdog status and knock out one or more of the heavily-favored teams. Stranger things have happened in a four-game set. Puerto Rican stars Yadier Molina, Carlos Beltran, and Angel Pagan will look to make sure that doesn't happen.
Starting Pitchers: RHP Giancarlo Alvarado vs. RHP Sergio Perez
Mexico vs. USA: Friday, 7:00 p.m. local, 9:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: MLB Network (U.S.), ESPN Deportes (U.S.)
Team USA lost first baseman Mark Teixeira to injury a few days ago, but the club still boasts a potent offense and is on a mission to best its fourth-place finish from 2009. Reigning NL Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey will look to keep Mexico reeling after a shocking late-inning loss to Italy Thursday night. Brewers right-hander Yovani Gallardo will take the rubber opposite Dickey with the hope of righting the ship for his team and keep them in contention in Pool D.
Starting Pitchers: RHP Yovani Gallardo v. RHP R.A. Dickey
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